Policy Corner: May 7, 2021

CBITF Leaders Re-introduce TBI/PTSD Law Enforcement Training Bill

Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (CBITF) Co-chairs Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) announced this week that they have re-introduced the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act. The act provides training for law enforcement and other first responders with regard to interacting with persons who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI), another form of acquired brain injury (ABI), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The RAISE Act, H.R. 2992, authorizes an additional $4 million per fiscal year for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to fund grants to develop and implement crisis intervention training tools. The bill also requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct a study on law enforcement and first responders who may have suffered a TBI. Other bill sponsors include Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Val Demings (D-Fla.).

Lawmakers issued a press release this week announcing the proposed legislation. The press release included a statement from Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) President/CEO Susan Connors: “Individuals with brain injury may have symptoms that make it difficult for them to follow directions or communicate clearly. Too often, these individuals are mistaken for being drunk or purposefully aggressive, which leads to misunderstandings with law enforcement. It is imperative that first responders throughout the country receive specialized training to help them understand the complexities involved with brain injury.” Connors applauds the re-introduction of this legislation.

May is Stroke Awareness Month

May National Stroke Awareness Month, an observance that began in May 1989 to promote public awareness and reduce the incidence of stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which estimates that about 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year. To promote awareness, the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) has developed a communications kit to help understand the basics of stroke. BIAA joins the CDC in raising awareness of stroke as a form of acquired (or non-traumatic) brain injury. Share this infographic with your community to help people recognize the signs of stroke and follow BIAA on social media for educational posts throughout the month.

BIAA Signs on in Support of the “Triple A” Study on Limb Loss or Limb Difference

BIAA signed letters initiated by the Disability and Research Coalition this week to senators and representatives in support of the Access to Assistive Technology and Devices for Americans Study Act (the “Triple A” Study Act), S. 1089 and H.R. 2461. The legislation enhances research efforts regarding access to assistive technologies and devices for people with limb loss and limb difference, and develops policies to improve care in this area. The legislation requires the Government Accountability Office to draft a report evaluating appropriate coverage and provision of health care and rehabilitative services to people with limb loss or limb difference. S. 1089 was recently introduced by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and H.R. 2461 is sponsored by Reps. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) and Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.).

BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action. Click here to read past issues of Policy Corner.